The biggest advantage is Pune has been chosen by the Union ministry of urban development, as a demonstration city for the World Bank-assisted sustainable urban transport programme (SUTP) for India, which include NMT feeder services project. "Although the World Bank is going to fund only the NMT feeder services project, we are preparing several other plans to bring back cycles on roads," Dinesh Girolla of PMC's NMT cell said.

A report prepared by the PMC, a copy of which is with TOI, lists down project plans for congested areas, for non-congested areas, the rent and ride cycle project and integration of NMT with BRT. One of the first initiatives, according to the report, to re-establish the importance of cycles is to revive the 1981 cycle network project which was only partially implemented.

The report states that the projects hope to correct the worldview that a pedestrian or a cyclist needs not be cared for by consciously giving priority to the needs of the pedestrians and the cyclists.

For revival of cycling in congested areas, a firm action on removing on-street parking and providing cycle tracks could ensure the revival of the two-wheeler without fuel. "Imposition of maximum speed limit for auto vehicles and its enforcement may pave the way for safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists in congested areas in the city. This may enthuse people to use bicycles rather than auto two-wheelers, particularly due to freedom of parking immunity enjoyed by the cyclists," the report states.

The objective of implementing these projects is to reduce green house gases (GHG) for averting climate change, promoting sustainable transport giving importance to energy efficiency, improving physical safety of vulnerable elements of traffic and ensuring level playing field for hitherto neglected elements in traffic to consequently benefit the disadvantageous section of society.

In order to reach these objectives, the civic body plans to implement promotional campaigns like rallies, school programmes, community education and TV advertisements, documentaries and meetings with citizens.

Another major initiative to encourage citizens into cycling is the civic body's serious look at implementing the rent and ride bicycle project on the lines of the bicycle transit system called Velib', implemented in Paris in 2007.

In fact, the PMC is planning to allocate a significant amount of money to the non-motorised transport (NMT) cell in the coming budget to help initiate a rent-and-ride cycle project in the city. "A number of locations in the congested areas and elsewhere in the city may witness this kind of facility soon. It can be looked upon as a sibling venture of the current project of integration of NMT with BRT," the report states.

Under the Velib' project, citizens and visitors in Paris can pick-up and drop-off bicycles at 750 places in the city. The pick up points are located at a maximum distance of 1,000-feet from each other. Also, daily, weekly or yearly passes can be booked either online or at the station. "This is a very ambitious project. If implemented in Pune, it would help reduce vehicular congestion on roads. However, no state in India has attempted such a project and, therefore, we will need international expertise, which in turn will require more funds," a civic officials told TOI. The PMC has prepared the terms of reference (ToR) and DPR guidelines so that once the funds are allocated, it will appoint international experts to prepare the detailed project report.